A report by the International Atomic Energy Agency has higlighted Cambodia’s steps to improve cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment with the rollout of a new National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) and the launch of two major infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening its cancer care capabilities. These initiatives, supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), are set to reshape the country’s oncology landscape.
According to the latest data from the Global Cancer Observatory (Globocan, 2022), nearly 20,000 Cambodians were diagnosed with cancer in 2022. For women, breast, cervical, and liver cancers accounted for over 40 percent of new cases, while liver and lung cancers were the most common among men. Cancer incidence in Cambodia is projected to double by 2045, underscoring the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure and services.
The new NCCP, informed by an IAEA-led imPACT Review conducted in 2023, aims to coordinate cancer control efforts across the country. “The Cambodian Ministry of Health is fully committed to implementing the NCCP to expand the range of service delivery and enhance the quality of medical services for patients in terms of cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, care and support,” said Beauta Rath, Advisor to the Ministry of Health.
Key to this transformation is the construction of Cambodia’s first cyclotron facility at Calmette Hospital in Phnom Penh. Initiated in 2024, the Cyclotron Medical Centre will enable the local production of radioisotopes, significantly improving access to advanced nuclear medicine and diagnostic imaging. The IAEA has been instrumental in this effort, offering expert guidance on design, safety, regulatory compliance, and staff training.
A second landmark project is the conversion of Luang Me Hospital, previously a maternity facility, into a specialised cancer treatment centre. Located just outside the capital, the new centre adds 300 hospital beds and is already providing surgery, emergency services, and radiotherapy treatment. The expanded capacity aims to reduce waiting times and accommodate patients from more remote regions.
Through its technical cooperation and human health programmes, the IAEA has also supported Cambodia by providing linear accelerators, imaging equipment, and expert training. The 2023 imPACT Review assessed national capabilities and helped guide these infrastructure developments.
The Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital — Cambodia’s first to offer radiotherapy — continues to serve as a cornerstone in the country’s cancer care system. In 2024, an IAEA radiotherapy medical physicist visited the hospital, paving the way for continued collaboration to strengthen technical skills, workforce capacity, and evidence-based care.
These advancements fall under the IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative, which aims to expand access to cancer care in low- and middle-income countries. “The new NCCP provides a framework to support the continued expansion of radiotherapy services and the development of adequate regulatory frameworks in the country,” said Joelle Saleh, Project Officer for Rays of Hope at the IAEA. “It will also enhance resource mobilization efforts, helping the country secure sustainable funding.”
A New Era in Cancer Care
With the NCCP guiding national strategy, and with major infrastructure investments underway — including the Cyclotron Medical Centre and the upgraded Luang Me Hospital — Cambodia is entering a pivotal new phase in cancer control. These initiatives, supported by the IAEA and its network of health experts, are expected to dramatically improve access to high-quality cancer diagnosis and treatment services across the country.
